With police officer and fireman topping the list of popular costumes at local Halloween shops, area residents can expect to see more on the streets - in costume and in uniform.
East Lansing and Lansing police will be keeping watch over trick-or-treaters tonight, along with volunteers from the community. Lansing police Lt. Ray Hall said Mid-Michigan police departments rarely have above-average call volumes.
Instead, area volunteers and police will be watching traffic closely.
“Our priority is just to slow down speeds,” Hall said. “Little kids may not be looking as they dart from house-to-house trying to collect as much candy as they can, so we’ll strictly enforce speed laws.”
In East Lansing, candy crime is one of the few problems police see on Halloween, said East Lansing police Capt. Julie Liebler.
“Every now and then someone will steal someone’s bag of candy,” Liebler said. “It’s not bad, but I’m sure it’s pretty traumatic when you’re a little kid and some big kid comes and takes all your candy.”
Liebler said parents should try to make the evening comfortable for children, using coats when temperatures dip, even if it covers a costume. Wearing reflective tape or glowsticks on costumes make walking around at night safer, she said.
“I don’t know any little kid that’s not brave enough to go out in the cold for some candy,” she said. “Just don’t let them wear anything they’re going to trip over or something they can’t see out of.”
But with temperature predictions in the mid-60s and a slight breeze, trick-or-treaters may be able to avoid dressing like skiers for Halloween.
“Weather wise, it’s perfect,” said Mark Sekelsky, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Grand Rapids. “It’s not unusual to have these types of temperature swings in fall, but this is much above normal.”
Five-year-old Hannah Rieske was wearing a sweat suit beneath her costume Tuesday during the Great Pumpkin Walk in downtown East Lansing so she could concentrate on sugar instead of shivers.
Hannah’s mother, Dimondale resident Susan Rieske, said she brought her children to East Lansing for trick-or-treating to avoid rural, unfamiliar neighborhoods.
“They’re not allowed to eat any of the candy today,” said Susan Rieske. “I’ll have to go home and check it. It’s good for the little ones to trick-or-treat now when it’s light out.”
But Susan Rieske’s children, Hannah and 9-year-old Harry Potter look-alike Will Rieske, had their own ideas about what makes Halloween safe - or scary.
“I’m not really interested in all that scary stuff,” said Hannah, who dressed as a bride. “Halloween is fun - the best part is the candy.”
